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BIBLE STUDY

    I. Introduction

        A. The Bible is an essential means of grace (2 Tim. 4:16-17).

        B. It is important for a Christian to balance prayer and Bible study.

            1. We speak to God through prayer

            2. He speaks to us through

                a. Prayer (Listening)

                b. Bible study

                c. In Bible study we encounter God

        C. Bible study is important for

            1. Continuing salvation

            2. Growth (sanctification)

    II. The Bible is inspired by God (2 Tim. 4:15) for

        A. Revelation (John 16:26)

        B. Illumination (1 Cor. 2:14)

        C. Empowerment (Luke 24:49)

        D. Guidance (John 16:13)

        E. Comfort (2 Cor. 3:3,4)

        F. Encouragement (Mark 6:50)

    III. The origins of the Bible

        A. God progressively revealed himself over 1600 years.

        B. He did so through men and women from all walks of life, including a fisherman, herdsman, king, tax collector, rabbi and others.

        C. He next revealed himself in his Son whose attributes and character were revealed in his deeds and words.

        D. Finally he revealed himself in the witness of the apostles ( 1 Cor. 15:1-28).

    IV. The Bible is a book about God’s interaction with persons both natural and supernatural.

        A. He has shown that he is a loving father who spoke to his children in the past at particular times and places (Heb. 1:1-3).

        B. God has not changed (Heb. 13:8).

        C. His words, however, are as eternally applicable as they were when he first spoke them.

            1. Civilization has changed

            2. Man’s human nature has not changed

                a. His ways of thinking have not changed

                b. His emotional reactions have not changed

                c. His willfulness has not changed

        D. Because God and man have not changed, His law has not changed.

    V. Reliability (authority) of Bible

    VI. The purpose of Bible study

        A. To know God

            1. The Father

            2. The Son

            3. The Holy Spirit

        B. To know his laws

        C. To learn to obey them

        D. To live rightly

            1. We can go from the Bible to life

            2. And from Life to the Bible

        E. To mature as our knowledge increases and as our behavior becomes more like His

    VII. Tools

        A. Bibles

            1. Study Bible (NIV is excellent, also the Open Bible)

            2. Different translations (NKJV, NIV, RSV, ASV, LB, CEV, Open Bible)

        B. Concordance (Several , Cruden’s, Young’s)

        C. Topical Bible (Naves)

        D. Commentaries ( Not necessary, but several concise commentaries are available.)

        E. Bible Dictionary (This is probably enough for most persons.)

    VIII. Prerequisites for study

        A. Be spiritually alive (Utilize the means of Grace.)

        B. Obedient (Set aside a time each day to study.)

        C. Have a good teacher (They are hard to find since they, too, have to be spiritually alive.)

        D. Be diligent

    IX. Have an approach

        A. Read the Bible

            1. Serially (From beginning to end)

            2. In sections that have continuity

            3. Topically (Look up verses that relate to the same topic)

            4. In context always

        B. Use Computer programs. There are many good ones available. They will have various translations, commentaries, dictionaries, Greek and Hebrew comparisons, etc. I hardly use the printed versions now.

        C. Interpret what you read as if it is a letter written to you.

Bibliography

There are no real good books on how to study the Bible. I know this sounds harshly critical, but the ones I have read are not useful for the average Christian.

We have available a volume entitled How to study the Bible by Dr. J. L. Williams that is an excellent treatise on the subject. The price is $10.00.